ULC Agro-fibre Modular Septic Tank
Researchers:
Assoc. Prof. Ir. Nik Fuaad Bin Nik Abllah
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Khalil Shawkataly
Kang Chen Wai
Azhar Mohamad Noor
Malaysia's most common form of sewerage system is the individual septic tank (IST). There are an estimated 1.2 million premises with individual septic tanks in the country. An IST comprises two chambers connected in series. In the first chamber, solids from the incoming sewage settle forming a “sludge” while greases and oils float to the surface forming a “scum” layer. Effluent from between the scum and sludge layers then passes into the second chamber where further sedimentation occurs.
Presently, prefabricated ISTs are made from fibreglass, a mixture of glass fibre and unsaturated polyester. Currently, the production cost is about RM800 with the price increasing with the increase in oil price. EFB fibres which is a by-product of the oil palm industry are produced in large quantities in Malaysia, approximately more than 10 million tonnes per annum.
Substituting the glass fibres with natural fibres reduces the cost to RM400. The advantages of the “ULC Agro-Fibre Modular Septic Tank” are :
- low cost
- Modular (assembled lego-wise)
- Easily moulded
- Non-hazardous
- Light weight
- Non-abrasive
- Chemical resistant
- Low thermal conductivity
- Environmentally friendly
In fact, “ULC Agro-Fibre Modular Septic Tank” exhibited very high impact and toughness characteristics as compare to conventional fibreglass septic tank.
For more information, contact
Assoc. Prof. Ir. Nik Fuaad bin Nik Abllah
